GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on November 28, 2023, and throughout the year.

For Community Center for Immigrants, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to reflect on a year of amazing growth. Thanks to our supporters and donors, we have secured over $500,000 in grant funding, hired new staff members, expanded English course offerings, and achieved Department of Justice certification to provide immigration legal services. Your support has brought us to this moment of incredible expansion! 

CCI’s services are required more than ever! In 2023, the world confronted an intensifying displacement crisis linked to climate change, war, and political repression. Due to this crisis, Milwaukee County projects an increase in refugee arrivals in 2024.

Your support has been vital to our efforts to make Milwaukee a welcoming home for immigrants and refugees. Will you help us sustain our momentum in 2024?

Here is how you can join us:

1. Expand our supporter network! Encourage your friends and family to subscribe to CCI’s email updates and follow our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
2. Give. Any dollar amount helps. Your donations signal the broad community support that allows us to secure grant funding and expand our services!

From now until November 28, please give at: https://donorbox.org/cci-givingtuesday-campaign

If you would like to donate by check, please send a check payable to Community Center for Immigrants and mail it to:

Community Center for Immigrants
1433 N. Water St., Ste 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Let’s rally together to build stronger communities!

Imagine embarking on a perilous journey, walking at night through dense forests and cramming into a small, fragile boat, all while enduring days without food. This was the reality for Sajedah, who fled her home due to the violence and persecution she faced in Burma (also known as Myanmar).

After years of uncertainty and hardship, a glimmer of hope appeared for Sajedah and her family. They were granted the opportunity to live in the United States. However, a heartbreaking decision had to be made- they had to leave their eldest daughter behind because she was not eligible to immigrate with the rest of the family. The weight of this separation was immense. Sajedah often found herself consumed by grief and shame for leaving her daughter behind.

But today, after receiving U.S. citizenship, Sajedah can finally begin the process of bringing her daughter to the United State: “Getting my U.S. citizenship means I can now apply for my daughter to come and live with us in the United States. She still lives as a refugee in Malaysia with no permanent status and is under continuous threat of being sent back to the violent military regime in Burma.”

Sajedah’s story of a family separated by conflict is common among the immigrants and refugees we serve. It is stories like these that fuel our dedication to help as many individuals as possible obtain citizenship, ensuring that families can be reunited with their loved ones.